Lucky! This HIV patient had a mattress instead of a mat.

HIV positive previous school teacher

We had a very interesting day today.  We were invited to learn more about an NGO started by a Baptist preacher (man standing to the left).  This picture and the following ones were taken in the community of Moamba, about 65 kilometers from Maputo.  There happens to be a high concentration of persons with HIV in this district.  According to the social worker I asked the population of the district is 17% HIV positive.  This NGO (called COASA) is trying to offer them better nutritious foods grown locally.  This keeps them feeling better and more likely staying on the medication they need which is supplied by the government.  They have about 2 1/2 hectares (7 acres) in cultivation with only 3 people to work it. 

Machamba (Garden)

Irrigation is available, but it does not give them enough.  Sweet potatoes, squash, chard, are grown to give to the patients.  Tomatoes are grown as a cash crop to help pay expenses.  When the crops are ready to be harvested they take what they need from the fields and deliver them to the sick in the community.  There is an American Baptist missionary that has been in Mozambique for 11 years that is giving them some help with "kits" of personal care items.  The local hospital provides the medication and some nursing care at the homes, but is extremely understaffed and does not have the transportation to do much. This organization makes regular visits to pray with them, deliver fresh food, and let them know they are not forgotten.  (Sounds like HT and VT to me).

Teril feeding cake to HIV patient

We made 5 visits.  We were invited to pray.  There was a wonderful spirit there.  We also met with hospital personnel and learned more about their needs.  I am not sure at this point just what we can do for them that will fit within the guidelines we have; but we will consider possibilities.  One of the challenges is that we are encouraged to work with organizations that have a successful track record.  This one is too new and is having trouble coming up with a solid plan to be sustainable.  We want to use the welfare services in a way that will make the most impact and is sustainable.  We will see.  But I was touched by the efforts of these people to look after their own.  Here are some more pictures of the day.

baptised ministers, social workers and us

All these people were hauled in two trucks to the visits

 

 

 

HIV house made of tin. "HOT"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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(Teril) I have never been inside a Mozambiquan home before today.  The first home had more than one room and was very modern in comparison.  The others homes were just one room.  The only one that could stand up was the School Teacher.  The others were confined to their beds which were just mats on the floor of their one room.  I was glad to see some had nurses assigned to fix the food we brought for them to eat.  They definitely needed help to just get a drink of water.

The picture of all the people standing in a row all squeezed into the two American's trucks to go visiting these 5 people.  Not even the government official used his car to transport people. We had produce in the beds of our trucks with people sitting all around going from place to place.

The blind gal was so engaging.  She was jolly and so happy we came to visit her.  She loved the cake.  Two of the ladies were afraid of the cake.  They don't do much sugared sweets here.  If you do get a cookie or a cake, it is never sweet enough for me.  The lady I fed a piece to nearly choked on the spot with all that sugar.  She needed a glass of water immediately.  We talked afterwards at the hospital and that was mentioned as a difficulty.
 I hope we can partner with the hospital.  In that way we may be able to indirectly help COASA and a lot of other people as well.  We will see.  We have a phone number for the doctor we met today.

Community of Moamba

Community of Moamba